Lion roars through all 12 AACTA awards

It was a clean sweep for Lion at this year's AACTA Awards as the film won every single one of the 12 gongs it was nominated for, including Best Film.

The movie's producer Angie Fielder acknowledged that the film was partly funded by Harvey Weinstein's company and praised those speaking out against abuse and harassment in the industry.

"As a film that was partly funded by the Weinstein company it would be remiss of us tonight not to acknowledge the incredible brave women and men who have come forward to break the silence on sexual harrassment," Fielder said.

She added that it was really encouraging to see people in the industry taking a stand.

Cast and crew of the movie Lion celebrate winning Best Picture. Photo: AAP

"So let's keep talking about it. That's how you make real change."

The film's acting contingent, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar all sent video messages to accept their awards.

Aged just nine, Sunny became the youngest ever to receive the Best Actor award.

Kidman sent a total of three videos, accepting two awards for Lion and the TV series Top of the Lake: China Girl, and sending a tribute to Dead Calm director Phillip Noyce who won the Longford Lyell Award.

Russell Crowe presented the Best Film Award but not before making a strange "joke" about sensitivity in the industry.

"I was sodomising Jackie McKenzie on the set of Romper Stomper," he said.

The rest of his story referred to the devices used to cover up their "bits" while filming the scene.

"It wasn't until the opening night of the film and it was pointed out by none other than Jackie McKenzie's beautiful late mother that we were in fact in her mind engaged in sodomy," he said.

"Anyway that was just a story about sensitivity."

It wasn't the only awkward comment of the night as Bachelorette star Sophie Monk called Pauline Hanson "hot" while riffing about diversity with Ali's Wedding star Osamah Sami.

But others used their platform to push worthy causes with Byron Kennedy Award winner, filmmaker Bentley Dean, calling for the Referendum Council's Uluru Statement of the Heart to be passed.

"It was really disappointing when the Australian government dismissed it off hand," Deane said.

"We want a treaty, it's time."

Director Gillian Armstrong took a moment while presenting an award to say what a great year it had been for female directors, praising Wonder Woman's Patty Jenkins.

"They always said women couldn't direct action, but they can," she said.

Jane Campion's drama Top of the Lake: China Girl took out several awards including Best Television Drama Series.